It’s the nature of head coach Fran Flory and the LSU volleyball program to aim high. The 2013 season will be no different as the Tigers are ready for a new season with new opportunities. LSU brings back five starters and a talented group of newcomers itching to make an instant impact.

LSU has earned 171 victories, an average of 21.4 wins per season, to go along with seven of the last eight SEC Western Division titles since 2005. The Tigers also are one of 34 programs to appear in six NCAA Tournaments during the previous eight-year stretch.

As in the past, there are a number of questions leading into the season. The Tigers will look to build on a competitive spring season and an effective European Tour over the summer. LSU will hope to turn that momentum into a successful 2013 campaign.

BATON ROUGE – Junior Malorie Pardo will carry the load for the Tigers at the setter position and has started in 53 of 59 matches during her first two seasons. She also has played solid defense on the back row and produced 23 double-doubles.

Pardo has dished out 2,285 career assists and heads into the season ranked seventh on LSU’s all-time list. She is the first player since Katie Kubena (2001 & 2002) to produce over 1,000 assists in consecutive seasons.

“Malorie has continued to make strides in her game during the spring season and on our European tour over the summer,” Flory said. “She has the toughest challenge on our team. It comes down to the simple fact of locating the ball, and can she make good decisions based on the situation she is presented. Malorie understands the expectations that are required of her to be successful at the setter position on this level.”